SCO
What is the SCO
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization was founded on the grounds of regional cooperation, particularly between China and Russia with 3 key energy producing Central Asian states. The Chinese and Russians promised that it wouldn't be a military alliance aimed at any particular state, group or organization. However in 2007 those countries had joint military games coined "Peace Mission 2007". The title couldn't be any more ironic. Most analysts agree that this was aimed at Taiwan or possible even Japan. Since one of the imaginary missions was to invade an island. It is no secret that there are some territorial tensions between Japan and China over some islands which promise a wealth in resources.
Future enlargement of SCO
Pakista, India and Iran have observer status. There are currently 6 members of SCO. On 24th March, 2008, Iran applied for membership of SCO. India is also likely to join in the near future, due to fears arch-foe Pakistan may join first.
How Democratic and Peaceful is the SCO?
India and China both are ranked amongst some of the most corrupt countries on the planet. I believe India is 74th and China 73rd. Both rank poorly on the peace index and so does Russia. With Iran eventually becoming a member, a disaster is more than likely to be waiting for all people of Asia, not only Japan. With SCO in power, much of Central Asia's people and energy will be in the hands of the corrupt.
Japan?
What's the future of Japan in your opinion? I would say, not very good. Japan has no powerful military and even if it did, it couldn't dare to touch SCO ever. Japan has only soft power and no hard power. How long can Japan's soft power approach with an increasingly powerful China and SCO? How long can Japan support the soft power approach with declining economic future? What's awaiting Japan?